Inner reflector mounting for floodlights



Oct. 16, 1951 F. SALE ETAL 2,571,294

INNER REFLECTOR MOUNTING FOR FLOOD LIGHTS Filed April 26, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet l FAA/ 5141.5

DOA/41.0 PQEsS,

INVENTOR.

BY a.

ATTORNEY.

1951 F. SALE ET AL 1,

' INNER REFLECTOR MOUNTING FOR FLOOD LIGHTS Filed April 26, 1949 s Sheets-Sheet 2 DOA/41. 0 Pee-s5 INVENTOR.

BY 6 a.

ATTORNEY.

, F. SALE ETAL INNER REFLECTOR MOUNTING FOR FLOOD LIGHTS Oct. 16, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 26, .1949

F/QHNK SALE,

DOA/.440 Pee-$5 ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 16, 1951 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE INNER REFLECTOR MOUNTING FOR FLOODLIGHTS ration of California Application April 26, 1949, Serial No. 89,634

20 Claims.

This invention relates to outdoor flood lights; more particularly it relates to quick detachable mounting means for the inner reflector used with such lights.

A type of outdoor flood light now in extensive use comprises a downwardly directed incandescent lamp of large candle power, such as 1000 watts, mounted at a considerable height, and a hood secured to the lamp mounting, extending about the lamp and providing an elongated forwardly and downwardly directed reflecting surface. This hood forms a semi-permanent part of the assembly, being seldom renewed. For improving the reflection of the light, a member providing a good reflecting surface is interposed between the lamp and the rear portion of the hood. This member or inner reflector is mounted within the hood, and is intended to be replaced at intervals in accordance with the condtion of the reflecting surface thereof.

It is an object of this invention to provide improved means for mounting such a reflector.

It is another object of this invention to provide mounting means enabling quick removal and replacement of such a reflector.

It is another object of this invention to provide mounting means for such a reflector which is detachably secured thereto as well as to the hood. Thus optionally, the mounting means may be attached to the reflector and together therewith installed in the hood, or the mounting means may be installed in the hood first and the reflector thereafter secured to the mounting means. Conversely, the mounting means and the reflector may be removed as a unit, or the reflector may be detached, leaving the mounting means in place ready to have another reflector installed therein.

Since the mounting means, inner reflector, etc., are exposed to the weather, it is another object of this invention to provide such mounting means so arranged that the operation of mounting and dismounting the reflector will not be adversely affected by corrosion, rust, and the like.

It is still another object of this invention to provide such mounting means wherein the attachment is by means of pins or similar projections slidably engaging clearance apertures to insure easy mounting and dismounting of the reflector.

' This invention possesses many other advantages and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of several embodiments of the invention. For this purpose there are shown several forms in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. These forms will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, showing a flood light partly in section, with an inner reflector mounted in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal section on an enlarged scale, showing the reflector and its mounting;

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the reflector and mounting frame of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the mounting frame of Figures 1 to 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional view similar to Figure 2, but showing a modified form of mounting;

Figure 6 is a rear elevation of the reflector and mounting frame of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a cross section, taken substantially as indicated by the line 1-1 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a sectional view similar to Figure 2, but showing another modified form of mounting;

Figure 9 is a rear elevation of the reflector and mounting frame of Figure 8; and

Figure 10 is a bottom plan view thereof.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, a generally conventional flood light is shown in Figure 1. Therein, a large capacity incandescent lamp is shown at 5 being mounted in a socket 6 secured within cylindrical downwardly opening cavity 8 formed in a head 9 at the outer end of an arm l0. This arm I0 is supported for "vertical angular adjustment by a bracket II secured on the upper end of a pole or mast [2. A hood I4 providing a reflecting surface is attached to the lower end of the head 9, extending quite closely about the rear of the lamp 5 and flaring outwardly past the sides of the lamp and extending forwardly to provide an inclined downwardly directed opening 15. A concave reflector 20 is interposed between the rear and side portions of the lamp 5 and the hood I4, and serves to direct the light from these portions of the lamp 5 through the hood opening [5.

Reflectors, such as 20, are commercially available and usually comprise the concave reflecting wall 2! extending some distance below the lamp 5 and terminating in the rearwardly extending flange 22 with a central aperture 23 therein. The wall 2| also extends upwardly substantially to the neck or straight portion of the lamp 5 at which point it is formed to provide a horizontal portion 2l-a extending to the front of the lamp 5. An extension member 24 is secured on the wall portion 2I-a and has a forwardly extending flange 25 at its upper end with a central aperture 26 therein. A large opening 21 is provided in the wall 2l-a and the member 24 for accommodating the lamp 5.

Mounting lugs 28 and 29 are provided within the hood I4 respectively on the upper side thereof just forward of the lamp 5 and on the rear wall of the hood l4 near the lower edge thereof. These lugs 28 and 29 have through apertures 38 and 31 and are so located that if desired, the flanges 22 and 25 may be mounted respectively thereon and secured as by screws (not shown), passing through the apertures 23 and 39, and 26 and 3|. However, such an arrangement is not usually satisfactory since the screws soon corrode, rendering removal of the reflector 29 difficult. Accordingly, means 35 are provided for mounting the reflector by the aid of pin-like projections 36 and 31 slidable through apertures 23 and 30, and 25 and 3| respectively for connecting the flange 22 with lug 29, and flange 25 with lug 28.

Such means 35 comprises a generally rectangular frame formed of resilient wire, the transverse end members 35-a and 35-b thereof carrying the pin-like projections 36 and 3'! respectively. The upper projection 35 extends below the end member 35-a to engage the aperture 25, as well as above the end member to engage the aperture 30, the upper end terminating in a hook 36-a. The lower projection 31 extends above the end member 35-b to engage the apertures 23 and 3|, and has a downward extension 3'l-a, forming a finger grip.

The frame side members 35-c and 35-d are bent backwardly and outwardly so as to accommodate the back of the reflector 29 adjacent its opposite side edges, the frame 35 being so proportioned that when mounting the reflector 29, the end members 35-a and 35-1b are tensioned over the flanges 22 and 25 respectively and the side members 35-0 and 35-d are tensioned across the back of the reflector 20. The reflector is thus firmly held in the frame 35, but may be readily removed by flexing the end members 35-a and 35-b outwardly sufficiently to release the projecting pins 36 and 31 from apertures 26 and 33.

The frame 35 together with the reflector 29 is supported in the hood by engagement of the hook 36-11 and the top lug 28, the lower projecting pin 31 cooperating with lug 29 to position the reflector properly. Rearward projecting means 38 and 39 are provided respectively on side members 35-c and 35-d which by engagement with the rear of the hood l4 serve additionally to position and stabilize the reflector 29.

When attaching the frame 35, the back of the reflector 20 is placed between the side portions 35-c and 35-d of the frame, and the transverse end portions 35-a and 35-b forced apart sufficiently to allow the projections 36 and 31 to pass exteriorly of the flanges 22 and 25. The end portions are then released, causing' the projections 36 and 31 to enter the apertures 26 and 23. The frame 35 may be detached by forcing the end portion apart sufficiently to free the projections 36 and 31 from the respective apertures.

To mount the frame in the hood 14 the frame 35 is inclined downwardly and forwardly and the hook 36-a is inserted in the aperture 30 of the upper lug 28. The frame 35 is then swung backwardly so as to be supported by the hook 36-a, the lower flange 22 passing below the bottom lug 29, for which purpose the bottom frame member 35-b is forced downwardly by the aid of the finger grip 31-a to retract the projection 31 which upon release enters the aperture 3|. The frame 35 may be dismounted by a reversal of the process. The frame 35 may be attached to the reflector before mounting in the hood l4 as well as removed from the hood !4 therewith, but it is preferred that the frame be mounted in the hood first and allowed to remain in place, the reflectors 25 being installed in and removed from the frame 35 without disturbing it.

In that form of the invention shown in Figures 5 to 7, a frame substantially identical with frame 35 of the first described form of the invention, is provided. The frame 45 has upper and lower transverse members 45-a and 45-b adapted to span the flanges 25 and 22 of the reflector 28 with projecting pins 46 and 4! for engaging the apertures 26 and 23 therein respectively, and side members 45-c and 45-d adapted to be tensioned across the back of the reflector.

For supporting the frame 45, a structure or cage 48 providing a plurality of resilient fingers 48-a. adapted to engaged the surface of the cavity 8 about the lamp socket 6 is secured to the frame 45. This structure 48 comprises axially spaced upper and lower rings 48-0 and 48-d secured to the top frame member 45-a as by pairs of bars 48-e. The fingers 48-a are secured to said rings in angularly spaced relation thereabout, the upper portions of the fingers being inwardly inclined. Either or both rings 48-0 and 48-11 may have a section as 48-3: removed to impart more resilience to the ring.

The arrangement is such that after mounting the reflector 20 on the frame 45, the cage 48 is inserted in the cavity 8, the frictional engagement of the fingers 48-a serving to support the frame and reflector. Rearward projections 49 and 50 may be provided respectively on the frame side members 45-c and 45-d, if desired, which by engagement with the rear of the hood [4 cooperate with the supporting cage 48 to properly position the reflector.

In that form of the invention shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10, a resilient frame is shown encompassing the reflector 28 and having upper and lower transverse portions 55-a and 55-h, and side portions 55-0 and 55-d. The transverse portions 55-a and 55-17 have projections 56 and 5! respectively adapted to engage the apertures 26 and 23 in the upper and lower reflector flanges 25 and 22. However, the frame 55 is so arranged that the lower transverse portion 55-?) passes between the body of the reflector 29 and the lower flange 22, the side portions 55-0 and 55-11 flaring upwardly at a slight angle so that said portions are tensioned across the reflector and the top member 55-a is tensioned' against the top flange 25.

The upper projection 56 has an upward extension adapted to engage the aperture 39 in the top lug 28 and a lower portion 56-a outwardly inclined to facilitate engagement with the top flange aperture 26 of the reflector 20. The lower projection 51 extends downwardly through the aperture 3| of the lug 29 and through the aperture 23 of the flange 22 when the frame 55 and reflector 20 are mounted, the lug 29 being interposed between the bottom frame portion 55-!) and the flange 22, so that the frame 55 is supported on the lower lug 29, and positioned by the top lug 2 8. Rear stabilizing projections 58 and 59 for engaging the surface of the outer reflector or hood M are providedon the frame side members 55-0 and 55-11 as before.

Means are provided for locking the frame 55 and reflector 20 in assembled relation on the lug 29. Thus, depending loops SI and 62 are provided respectively adjacent the opposite ends of the frame bottom member 55-11. A look member or keeper B3 is swingably attached to one of these loops, as 6|, at one end, and has its other end formed as a spring latch 63-a which releasably engages the other loop 62, the central portion of the bar being offset at 53-2) to clear the pin 51. The arrangement is such that the keeper 63 may be swung into locking position, substantially parallel with the lower frame member -2) and secured by latch 53-a to confine the lower reflector flange 22 and said member 55-h on the lower and upper sides of the lug 29 respectively, or the latch 63-11 may be released and the keeper 63 swing downwardly to permit upward movement of the frame member 55b and pin 51, so that the pin 51 disengages the apertures 23 and 3|, allowing removal of the frame 55 and the reflector 20.

In mounting a reflector using this form of frame in the hood M, the upper pin 56 is posi tioned in the upper lug 28 and the frame 55 then manipulated to release the lower reflector flange 22 and space pin 5'! far enough above it to accommodate the lug 29, the keeper 63 meanwhile being unlatched. The frame 55 is then released causing the pin 51 to engage the apertures 3| and 23, and latch 63 reengaged.

We claim:

1. A mounting for a flood light reflector, comprising a frame having portions engageable with opposite sides of said reflector, as well as transverse portions, members mounted between the ends 'of and on said transverse portions engageable with the upper and lower portions of the reflector, and means disposed between the ends of one of said transverse portions and carried thereby, engageable with a support for holding said frame thereon.

2. In a mounting for a flood light reflector, said flood light including a depending lamp bulb v and a hood therefor, said reflector having a flange directed forwardly at the upper edge thereof and a flange directed rearwardly at the lower edge thereof; a frame for substantially encircling the back of said reflector and having portions contacting and spanning said flanges; means carried intermediate the ends of said portions for detachably securing said frame to said reflector; and means on the frame for attaching said frame to the hood.

3. In a mounting for a flood light reflector, said flood light including a depending lamp bulb and a hood therefor, said hood having lugs for supporting the reflector therein, adjacent the upper and lower edges of said reflector respectively; a wire frame having portions for spanning the upper and lower edges of said reflector, and members intermediate the ends of said por- 6 tions detachably engageable with said lugs and said reflector.

4. In a mounting for a flood light reflector, said flood light including a depending lamp bulb and a hood therefor, said reflector having oppo sitely directed flanges respectively adjacent its upper and lower edges; an open wire frame extending about said reflector and having ends spanning said flanges; means detachably securing said frame to said flanges, cooperating means on said frame and said hood forming a swingable connection of one end of said frame with the hood, and means for detachably connecting the other end of said frame within the hood.

5. In a mounting for a flood light reflector, said flood light including a depending lamp bulb and a hood therefor, said reflector having apertured flanges respectively adjacent its upper and lower edges, said hood having apertured lugs secured thereto for cooperating respectively with said flanges, a resilient frame embracing said reflector and means on said frame respectively connecting said upper and lower flanges and said lugs.

6. In a mounting for a concave flood light reflector, said flood light including a depending lamp bulb and a hood therefor, said reflector having flanges respectively adjacent its upper and lower edges, each of said flanges having a through aperture located centrally transversely of the reflector; a resilient frame having side portions adapted to be outwardly bowed and tensioned across the back of said reflector and in contact therewith, and transverse end portions each having an aperture engaging projection intermediate the ends thereof, said projections and said tensioned side portions cooperating to fix the reflector in the frame; means for supporting said frame in said hood; and means extending rearwardly from each of said side portions for contacting the hood to locate the reflector therein.

'7. A mounting for a concave reflector having apertured flanges, comprising: a resilient frame having a pair of side portions and end portions joining said side portions, said side and end portions spanning the reflector, each end portion at a point between its ends having a projection for extension through the apertures in said flanges for securing the frame and reflector in assembled relation; and mean fixed to a point adjacent the center of one of said end portions and extending therefrom in a direction opposite the direction of extension of the projection thereon for securing said frame to a supporting structure.

8. A mounting for a concave reflector having apertured flanges respectively adjacent its upper and lower edges, comprising; a resilient frame having side portions for spanning the reflector and transverse end portions, each of said end portions having at a point approximately centrally of its ends a projection for extension through the apertures in said flanges for securing the frame and reflector in assembled relation, at least one of said projections having an oppositely directed extension for attaching said frame to a supporting structure.

9. A mounting for a concave reflector havin flanges respectively adjacent its upper and lower edges, each of said flanges having an aperture located centrally transversely of the reflector, comprising: a resilient frame having opposed side portions capable of being outwardly bowed and tensioned across the back of the reflector, opposed transverse end portions rigidly joined to said side portions, an aperture-engaging projection located intermediate the ends of each of said end portions, said side portions by engaging the reflector on opposite sides of said projections serving to position the reflector in the frame; and means intermediate the ends of said end portions and carried thereby for securing said frame to a supporting structure.

10. In a mounting for a concave reflector having oppositely directed flanges respectively adjacent its upper and lower edges; a generally rectangular frame of resilient material, the side members thereof being capable of being outwardly bowed and tensioned across the back of the reflector, the transverse members thereof being engageable with the exterior of said flanges, and having respectively central pin-like projections directed inwardly of the frame for engaging said apertured flanges to retain the frame on the reflector, one of said projections having an upward hook-like extension engageable with a supporting lug and swingably supporting the frame, the other projection being engageable with a restraining lug for positioning said frame.

11. In a mounting for a concave reflector having oppositely directed flanges respectively adjacent its upper and lower edges: a generally rectangular frame of resilient material, the side members thereof being capable of being outwardly bowed and tensioned across the back of the reflector, the transverse members thereof being engageable with the exterior of said flanges, and having respectively central pin-like projections directed inwardly of the frame for engaging said apertured flanges to retain the frame on the reflector, means forming a resilient extension upwardly from the upper transverse member of the frame, for supporting said frame by frictional engagement with the wall of a cavity in a support for the frame.

12. In a mounting for a flood light reflector, said flood light including a depending lamp bulb and a hood therefor, said reflector having oppositely directed flanges respectively adjacent its upper and lower edges; a frame for encircling and contacting the back of said reflector and having portions contacting said flanges; means for detachably securing said frame to said reflector; and means for supporting said frame within the hood, comprising a resilient circular extension upwardly from the frame, frictionally engageable with the wall of a cavity coaxial with said lamp and in a support for said bulb, and means on said frame cooperating with said hood to angularly position said frame and said reflector about the axis of said bulb.

13. In a mounting for a concave reflector having oppositely directed apertured flanges respectively adjacent its upper and lower edges: a generally rectangua-r frame of resilient material, the side members thereof being capable of being outwardly bowed and tensioned. across the back of the reflector, one of the transverse members thereof engageable with the exterior of one of said flanges, and having respectively central pinlike projections thereon, the projection on the upper transverse member extending downwardly to engage the upper apertured reflector flange, an upward extension on said upper transverse member for engaging a support for the frame; the projection on the extending downwardly for first engaging a support for the frame and then the lower reflector flange; and swingable retaining means on the lower transverse member of said frame for releasably retaining the second named projection lower transverse member in engagement with the last named support for the frame.

14. In a mounting for a concave flood light reflector: means forming a resilient frame formed to substantially encircle said reflector and contact opposite portions of the exterior thereof; means fixed to upper and lower portions of said frame for detachably holding the reflector seated in said frame, said opposite portions of the refiector being respectively intermediate said upper and lower portions of said frame, said securing means tensioning said frame against said opposite portions of the reflector; and resilient means carried by said upper portion of said frame and extending rearwardly therefrom for engaging a stationary element at a point forwardly of the rear end of the reflector, for supporting said frame.

15. In a mounting for a concave flood light reflector; means forming a resilient frame about an axis, for encircling said reflector with at least a portion of the frame in contact with the reflector; members fixed at spaced points on said frame engageable with said reflector for detachably securing said frame to said reflector; means forming a substantially circular, resilient structure for frictionally engaging a wall of a cavity in a support for the frame, and means fixed to said frame and supporting said structure on one side of said frame, said structure extending from said last named means in a direction away from said axis.

16. In a mounting for a concave flood light reflector; means forming a resilient frame about an axis, for substantially encircling said reflector with portions of the frame in contact with the back of the reflector, means forming projections on said frame engageable with said reflector for de tachably securing said frame to said reflector; and means forming a substantially circular, resilient extension on the frame about an axis extending in a direction transverse to the first mentioned axis, for frictionally engaging the wall of a cavity in a structure to support the frame.

17. In a mounting for a concave flood light reflector: means forming a resilient frame for encircling the back of said reflector with portions of the frame in contact with portions of the back of the reflector; means fixedly carried by said frame for detachably holding the reflector seated against said frame, and a resilient extension fixed to said frame and extended therefrom for engaging with a support for the frame at a point forwardly of and above the rear end of the reflector seated against the frame.

18. In a mounting for a concave flood light reflector: means forming a resilient frame about an axis, for encircling the back of said reflector in seating contact therewith; means on said frame engageable with said reflector for detachably securing said frame to said reflector; and means forming an extension frictionally engageable with the wall of a cylindrical cavity in a structure for supporting said frame, said extension comprising a circular band secured to said frame and disposed rearwardly thereof, and a plurality of elements secured in angularly spaced relation to said band and defining a generally cylindrical surface about an axis extending in a direction transverse to the first mentioned axis.

19. In a mounting for a concave flood light reflector, a reflector-supporting frame comprising side members and transverse end members, a projection on one of the end members for effecting a detachable connection with the reflector, and oppositely directed projections extending from a common point of connection intermediate the ends of the other end member respectively serving to connect the frame with the reflector and with a support.

20. In a mounting for a concave flood light re- 5 flector, a; reflector-supporting frame comprising side members and transverse end members, a projection on one of the end members for efiecting a detachable connection with the reflector and a support; and oppositely directed projections ex- 10 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number 10 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Cannon Mar. 20, 1883 Stearns .Apr. 13, 1886 Stearns Oct. 26, 1886 Chandler Sept. 27, 1910 Matthews July 11, 1911 Brown May 4, 1915 Cahill Sept. 21, 1920 Cahill Sept. 21, 1920 Bason Jan. 10, 1922 Maynard Aug. 26, 1924 Stewart July 30, v1929 Jenkins June 10, 1930 Piercy Oct. 24, 1933 Wideroe Aug. 29, 1939 Trippe Nov. 4, 1941 Sale June 16, 1942 

